by Illyse Lane | Sep 24, 2015 | October 2015, Polish, Stuff
Understanding Retinol
This vitamin A derivative can be the workhorse of your sign care routine. Why? Because when retinol is broken down, it becomes retinoic acid, which works within the cells to improve the tone and texture of your skin. This means fine lines, dark spots and even acne begin to fade.
Ideally applied at night, retinol is available in various forms, with prescription strength versions such as Retin-A, Renova and Tretinoin being the most potent to the more milder forms of retinol that are found in over-the-counter products such as RoC Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, OLAY Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment and Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0.
Since retinol can irritate your skin when introduced, new users should always begin with a mild form, working up to a prescription grade. And always be diligent about wearing sunscreen, especially when using retinol products.
Are our hands giving away our age?
As we age, our skin loses volume and elasticity. When you add decades of sun exposure to the equation, it’s not uncommon for the skin on our hands to look wrinkled, thin and veiny. And while there are moisturizers and creams available that can help hands feel smooth and decrease brown spots, there hasn’t been an option available for women looking to improve the overall look of their hands. Until now.
This summer, the FDA approved the injectable filler, Radiesse® Hands. Injected into the back of the hand, Radiesse® Hands adds volume and fullness to the skin, decreasing vein and tendon visibility. One treatment can last up to two years.
Radiesse® Hands is offered at Davis & Pyle Plastic Surgery, 919-785-1220.
The Power of Collagen
Our bodies are packed with this magical protein that helps plump up our skin, giving life to our hair and nails and making our joints move more easily. But as we age, our collagen diminishes.
Fortunately, Collagen supplements can add firmness and texture back to your skin. It’s available in either a pill, powder or chew to help improve skin tone. Curious to know which collagen supplement is right for you? Stop by and talk to Laura Dalton at GNC North Hills or call 919-787-0462.
by Illyse Lane | Aug 22, 2015 | Polish, September 2015, Stuff
It used to be that booties were your cold weather friend, brought out only during those months when the days were short and temperatures cool. Now, booties reign supreme all year long, even during the hot summer months. You’ll find them in suede, leather and canvas—in lace-ups or slip-ons. Baring your ankle in a wedge heel is a good substitute for a dress shoe. A chunky rubber-soled bootie is a good stand-in for a rugged knee-high boot. Check out these cool finds we found while shopping the city!
Pictured above
Fenton Buckle Bootie, Loeffler Randall
Monkee’s of Raleigh
$450
Donald J Pilner Malta
Main & Taylor
$278
Lucky Brand Jakobie Wedge
Belk
$139
by Illyse Lane | Aug 22, 2015 | Polish, September 2015, Stuff
When Jordan Spieth won the Masters, his girlfriend, Annie Verret, was carrying one of her many Hammitt handbags. And we can see why. What’s not to love about this American-made handbag constructed with soft Italian leather, lined with suede and finished with metal hardware? The Los Angeles-based handbags add an edge to any classic look, yet don’t compromise on providing you with a bag that’s actually usable. All Hammitt bags are designed with functionality in mind. Each bag comes with a lifetime warranty, making it an investment piece; any problems, just send your Hammitt to the Director of Broken Dreams for repair (we’re not kidding—really, that’s what he’s called.).
While Hammitt handbags are carried by celebrity A-listers like Angelina Jolie and Kerry Washington; locally, you can only get them at Main & Taylor, where the small but smart Tony rules the roost. If more space is your style, try the Roxbury, or, my personal favorite, the Daniel.
by Illyse Lane | Aug 22, 2015 | Polish, September 2015, Stuff
Have you been there? Standing in the locker room at the spa, when suddenly, you can’t decide what to leave on under that robe—if anything? Of course, there’s the massage to consider, but what about all that time in the relaxation area? You know, the whirlpool, steam and sauna? To clothe or not to clothe? That is your question.
Carolyn Doe, spa director at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, has answers: “Most spas have a policy on clothing and nudity. At The Umstead Spa, clothing is optional. Since our guests’ modesty is our biggest concern, we ask them to dress down to their own comfort level.”
So whether you’re the person who prefers to leave underwear on during a massage or strip down to nothing for a soak in the whirlpool, it’s all acceptable, and you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable with your decision – and neither will the any of the professionals working. “There is no judgment and no right or wrong on the clothing option,” says Doe.
Some tips for nudity at the spa
Many locker rooms, such as those at The Umstead, offer private dressing rooms for guests who would like more privacy.
For the whirlpool, sauna and steam room, bathing suits are always a welcome choice if you’re not comfortable naked. But leave your new suit at home; pool treatment ingredients could impact the color.
It’s easier for a massage therapist to massage the body without underwear and for an esthetician to provide the neck and shoulder massage during a facial treatment when there’s no bra strap, but both will work around undergarments.
Having to remove clothing during your treatment time could affect your experience, so dress down to your comfort level rather than leave clothing on.
And if you’re wondering if you really should follow those signs that advise you to shower before entering the whirlpool, Doe says yes, and always change into dry clothing before heading into the dry lounge or treatment rooms.
by Illyse Lane | Aug 22, 2015 | Polish, September 2015, Stuff
It’s a simple matter of ergonomics. We just can’t get to the back of the head and use the same amount of tension as the pros.
Women embrace the blow dry bar, shelling out $35 for the one-time style ($25 on Tuesdays) or $60 for a monthly membership, guaranteeing a magnificent mane.
“A professional blow out is the equivalent of getting a mani-pedi,” says Jenny Beaudin, who owns Blown Away with sister-in-law Julie Burris. “We can paint our own fingernails, but it never looks the same as when you have it professionally done.”
In an ideal world, dropping in for 45 mintues of pampering is sublime, but there are times you want to dip into your product stash and try it at home. Here’s what you need to know, straight from the pros.
Wash: Not once, but twice, ideally first with a clarifying shampoo to remove product residue and pollutants. If you don’t have two different shampoos at home, use the same ones twice. After shampooing, condition.
Prep: Don’t apply too much of one product or layer too many products. Instead, figure out what kind of product is right for your hair–a good guideline is the thicker the hair, the thicker the product. And if you know it’s going to take a while to dry, a product with thermal protection is a bonus.
The Technique: The curlier the hair, the wetter the hair should be when you begin drying. Tackle the hair in small sections, beginning with the front and top of the head and drying with a downward motion. Once completely dry, lock in the section by hitting the cool shot button, which allows the cuticles to be sealed. It may take a while, but if you do it right, you may not even need your flat iron. Once complete, finish with your choice of hair spray or texturing spray to hold the look.
Tools of the trade
Hair Dryer: Bite the bullet and invest in a professional salon grade dryer with multiple heat settings, including a cool shot, which is essential to seal the hair cuticle. A good dryer will help cut down on drying time and frizz. Pro dryers may top out at over $300. Blown Away is a fan of the Bio Ionic 10X Ultralight Speed Dryer.
The Brush: Use a round brush, one with natural boar bristles or a combination of boar and nylon to reduce damage. If you think a brush like that won’t get through your hair, it’s because you’re drying too much hair at once.
Understanding Retinol